Amusement device



A. Russa AMUSEMENT DEVICE May 18 1926.

Filed July 1, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A'Yzerf' Wag $30,

May 18,1926.

A. RUSSO AMUSEMENT DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 1, 1925 Fusso Patented May 18, was.

PATENT oer-Ice.

ALBERT RUSSO, OF PIT'IS'ION, PENNSYLVANIA.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Application filed July 1, 1925.

This invention relate to amusement devices of the type employed in amusement parks and the primary object of the invention is to provide a monorail gravity operated amusement railroad which will afford a maximum amount of pleasure for the users thereof with a maximum amount of safety.

Another object of the'invention is to provide novel means for arranging the monorail track around a series of longitudinally alined supporting standards, whereby the device will occupy a minin'mm amount of space, and thereby permit the same to be utilized in the central portion of an amuse ment park to permit the users of the device to have an unobstructed view of the entire park.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for suspending the cars from the track and novel means for preventing the cars from jumping the track irrespective of the speed of the cars.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for permitting the control of the speed of the cars by the passengers thereof, said means embodying a novel brake for engaging the supporting wheels of the cars which engage the track.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel elevated amusement monorail railroad embodying a track disposed spirally about a plurality of supporting standards arranged in a single row, and novel means for elevating the'oars to the uppermost run of the track to permit the cars to coast down the spiral track by gravity.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for preventing the slipping back of the cars during the elevation of the cars to the uppermost run of thetrack in case of some unforeseen accident to the elevating means.

A. still further object of the invention is to provide an amusement device of the above character, which will be durable and efficient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture and one which can be incorporated with an amusement park at a very small cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will 1e 'iereinafter more specifically tieseribed Serial No. 40,968.

claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

igure 1 is a side elevation of the improved amusement device,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing one of the cars on the supporting track illustrating the novel type of tunnel which can be utilized with the amusement device and the novel means for supporting the tunnel,

Figure at is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the improved amusement device illustrating the type of cars utilized and the means for connecting a series of cars together to form a train,

Figure 5 is a detail transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1 illustrating the elevating means,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the elevating means illustrating the safety device incorporated therewith,

Figure 7 is a detail modified type of car therewith.

Referring to the drawings in detail, where in similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates the improved amusement device, which comprises a plurality of longitudinally alined upright supporting members 10. These uprights 10 are arranged .in a single row and can be constructed in sections to facilitate the assembling thereof.

It is preferred to provide concrete bases or foundations 11 for the uprights and as shown the lower ends of the uprights are provided with flanges 12 which can be bolted as at 13 to the said concrete foundations 11.

These uprights 10 are adapted to support the novel monorail track 15 and in a connection with the said posts or uprights are provided towers 16 and 17, which can be constructed and braced in any preferred way. These towers 16and 17 also form supports for the track 15 but are employed more particularly for supporting the elevating means for the carria es sa e will be herein after more fully-described. The front tower 1? ends in a below the tops of the perspective view of a which can be utilized and outer towers 16 and uprights 10 and the inner tower 16, as can be clearly seen by referring to Fi 'ure 1 ol': the drawings. The track 15 is or a novel construction and is preferably formed from angle iron with one flange disposed uppermost and in a. vertical plane, indi' ited by the reference character 18. The track 15 is arranged to provide an uppermost inclined run 19 and is then wound spirally about the opposite sides of the posts 10, as at 20, which are arranged in advance of the towers 16 and 17. The track terminates in a lo\ r inclined run 21 which extends to the forward lowermost tower 17. These run it) and 21 inclinein opposite directions and a con nected together by a sharp inclined l which extends from one tower 17 to the upper end of the inner tower it The track is supported in a novel manner :tron'i the uprights 10 and the towers lo and]? by the use of outwardly QS'FQD. g arms 9.8 which are secured to said upr' s and towers in any desired way. 'lhe outer cues oi, the arms are bolted at to the horizontal flanges ot the track. li y referring to Figure 2 oi the drawings it can he seen that the track extends on the pposite sides ot the uprights and thus the cars which rill ho hereinafter more "fully dcscrihet circle the said uprights. It is to he noted that the arms 23 e:-;tend laterdly from the opposite sides of the uprights.

The means 25 proidded for elevating the carriages to the uppermost run 19 or the track includes an elevator consisting of a pair of spaced sprocket chains 26. These sprocket chains 26 are connected together by transversely extending; rods 27, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully scribed. The upper and lower ends of tl sprocket chains are trained about upper ant lower pairs of sprocket wheels 28 and and these upper and lower pairs oi sprocket wheels 28 and 29 are secured in an pre terred way to upper and lower shail'ts an d 31. lhesc shafts are rotatahly mounted in suitable bearings 32 which are termed on upper and lower bracl-cets 33 and 234-. secured respectively to the upper endso't the inner 1T. 'llie rods .27 extend across the inclined portion seal: the track 15 and form means tor engaging the cars to pull the cars up the said incline.

The cars or carriages 35 can be of: any. preferred type or charznrter and as shown include the hodv 3.6 provided with. a pair of compartments '8? and 3. These compartments 37 and 38 are provided with suitable seats for the passengers. Each car supported by lBGRDS otcahles 83) from a supporting hanger 40 which is of novel construction and "forms a salient feature or the invention. The hanger L0 includes an upri ht body 13. having formed on its upper end an arcuate arm 4-2 which terminates in a depending leg 43 arranged in spaced. parallel relation to the body 41. Toe leg and body carry a shaft 414- on which is IOliitttilll" mounted a flanged wheel 4-5 for cup; r. the vertical flange 18 of the angleb-ar shape-t, track 15. The lower end of the body sl-l is provided with an arcnate arin d6 which underlies the horizontal flange ot the track. This arm 46 is slightly spaced iron: the horizontal flange so as to be normally out ot engagei'nent therewith but the distance between the arm and track is of a less distance than the width of the flanges on the wheel 45. so that the flanges will be prevented from riding; oil of the track. that through some reason or other the wheel should ride oil of the track, the hanger 40 is provided with a hook l? for catching; on to the said track.

The opposite ends oi the cars or carri 35 can be provided with suitable shock ahsorhing bumpers l8 which can be of any preferred character and these hampers can be arranged at the upper and lower ends of the carriages it so desired .1 at the lower ends as shown. ll? preferred two or three of the carriages can be connected together to tot-1n a trainer, as shown in Figure ot the drawings and in this instance the opposite ends oi the carriages can be provided with suitable coupling means 49. The hangers 40 are provided with rearwardly projecting legs 50 which can be termed on the body portions ll and the legs 4L3 thereo'l and the tree ends of these legs 50 are notched as at 51 iZOCEOlIXl cleats for receiving the rods 2' utilized for connecting the elevating sprocket chains 25 together. It is obvious that when the chains are in motion, that the rods 27 will sweep over the track and a car starts to ride up the inclined portion that the rod 27 will sweep in back of the same and catch the legs 50 and push the car up the said incline.

in order to prevent the sliding hack oi the carriages when the same are being push d u p the incline, in case the chains should break, 1 provide at equi-distantly spaced points on the said portion 22 out the track 15 a plarality of hell crank sl iped dogs which. are pivotally mounted at the angles, as at 56 to the vertical llang'cs l8 oi the said track. The outer end oil? the lower arni oi each dc is provided with a depending er-dr-nsion 3? for normally engaging the horisonhil fiangi e oi? the track. The upright urn: 59% ct each bell crank is disposed in, the path o i the wheel 45 and when the carriages are being; moved up the inclined way the whee 1 to will strike the upright arms and 1'() 1; he dogs on their pivots.

rlowever in case ct accident and the carriages start downward, the wheels 45 will the inner face of the dogs and swing the same forwardly which will move the extensions 57 downward In case however,

into engagement with the horizontal portion of the track and thus prevent swinging movement of said dogs which will hold the carriages against further movement.

As heretobefore stated any preferred type of carriage can be utilized and in Figure 8 I have shown a carriage indicated by the reference character 60 which is in the shape of a boat. The boat or carriage 60 is extended in the same manner from the hangers as are the carriages 35.

In operation of the improved amusement device, a leading platform can be built adjacent to the uppermost end of the inclined run 21 at which point the carriages can be loaded with the 1t assengcrs After the carriages are loaded the same are allowed to ride down the inclined way at 21 and the carriages will obtain sutl'icient momentum to carry the same partially up the inclined way 22 at which time the legs 50 of the hangers will be engaged by the cross rods 27 of the ele nter and the carriages will then be moved positively up the way to the upper end of the inclined run 19 of the track. The carriages now gravitate down the spiral track and are brought to a stop at the loading platform.

In case the carriages obtain too great a speed down the spiral track, brakes are provided. These brakes 65 are in the nature of sliding shoes 66 carried by the hangers 41-0 and these shoes are adapted to engage the flanges of the wheels 45. Spring means 67 are coiled about the shoes to normally hold the same out of engagement with the wheels. The shoes can be moved in engagement with the said wheels by means of a suitable cable 68 which has its upper end attached to the bracket. The lower end of the cable depends in the car so that the same can be operated by one of the passengers or an attendant.

In order to make the device more attractive, one of the runs of the spiral track can be provided with a tunnel 70. This tunnel 70 is preferably constructed from heavy canvas and is shaped. to permitthe ready passage of a car therethrough. This canvas tunnel 70 is supported by suitable upper and lower brackets 71 and 72 connected with the uprights. The upper bracket 71 carries an inverted V-shaped support 73 to which directly attached the canvas tunnel. The bottom of the canvas tunnel is connected directly to the lower bracket 72.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided a novel amusement device of an exceptionally simple and durable construction, which will occupy a minimum amount of space and permit a maximum amount of pleasure to be derived therefrom.

The means for raising the carriages inclined way can be operated in any prefer-red manner from a suitable prime mover not shown). As disclosed in *the drawing up the the lower shaft 31 for the carriage elevating means is provided with a drive pulley 31. for permitting the positive rotation of said shaft.

Changes in details departing from the invention, but:

What I claim as new is:

1. An amusement device comprising a single row of spaced uprights, a plurality of supporting arms extending outwardly from the opposite sides of said uprights, an end less track secured to said arms extending spirally about certain of said uprights, the track including an inclined wa y connecting the upper and lowermost ends of the track together, carriages adapted to travel on the track including hangers for supporting the carriages, rollers rotatably carried by the hangers engaging the track, and means for moving the C211! iages up the inclined way in cluding a pair of spaced sprocket chains arranged on each side of the inclined way, upper and lower pairs of sprocket wheels supporting the sprocket chains i'neans for driving certain sprocket wheels, transversely extending rods connecting the chains together extending across the inclined ways, and means formed on the hanger adapted to be engaged by said rods.

A monorail amusement elevated railroad comprising a plurality of spaced up rights, an endless track including a spiral portion extending about certain of the uprights, oppositely extending arms secured to the uprights supporting the tack, the track also including an inclined portion connecting the upper and lower ends of the spiral portion together, hangers for the track, rollers carried by the hangers mounted upon the track, carriages depending from the hangers, means for elevating the carriages to the uppermost portion of the spiral part of the track including a pair of spaced sprocket chains, upper and lower pairs of sprocket wheels receiving the chains for operating certain of the sprocket wheels, transversely extending rods connecting the chains together extending across the inclined portion of the track, rearwardly extending notched legs formed on the hangers adapted to be engaged by the rods when the hangers engage the inclined portion of the track, and a brake carried by the hangers for engaging the rollers to regulate the speed of travel of the carriages down the spiral portion of the track.

3. An elevated monorail amusement rail road comprising a single row of longitudinally alined uprights, a plurality of arms secured to the uprights extending outward ly from the ooposite sides thereof, an endless track including a spiral portion wound about certain of the uprights and an inclined portion connecting the upper and lower ends may be made without spirit or scope of this of the spiral portions together, means connecting the track of said arms, hangers tor receiving the track, rollers rotatably carried by the hangers mounted upon the track, depending carriages secured to the, hangers, means for elevating the carriages up the inclined portion of the track includinga pair of spaced endless sprocket chains, transversely extending rods connecting the sprocket chains together, towers disposed in longitudinal alinenient with the uprights, bearing brackets carried by; the upper ends of the tovr :s, rotatable shafts carried by the bear-inn brackets, sp cket Wheels secured to the shafts receiving he sprocket chains, means for rotating one of the shatts, rearwardly extending notched legs formed on the hangers adapted to be engaged by the rods when the hangers are positioned on the inclined portions of the track, and means for preventing the downward movement in cluding a plurality of hell crank shaped dogs, means roe ably mounting the dogs on the traelzs at their angles, one of the arms oi'the dogs being normally in, engagement with the track, and the other arm being disprsed in the pathot' the rollers.

l. In a monorail amusement elevated railroad, an angle bar shaped track including a vertical flange and 'a-horizontal flange, a carriage arranged below the track, a hanger tor supporting the carriage including an upright body, an arcuate arm formed on the upper end of the body, a depending leg formed on the arm disposed in spaced arallel relation to the body, a shaft supportedby the leg and body, a flanged Wheel rotatably 11101111 66 1 upon the shaft receiving the vertical flange of the track, an arcuate arm formed on the lower end oi the body disposed helow'the track in spaced relation thereto, the space being of a less distance than the Width of the flanges on the roller, and a hook formed on the upper end of the hanger extendingoutwardly ironi said body.

In an elevated monorail amusement device, a plurality of uprights, a plurality of supporting arms extending. outwardly "from the opposite sides of the uprights, a track secured to the outer ends or the arms, earriagQS extending below the tracks, hangers supporting the carriages and receiving the tracks, rollers carried by the hangers engaging the tracks, and a tunnel for the tracks receiving the same and of a suitlcient size to permit the passage of the carriages therethrough including a flexible body, and upper and lower brackets seeured to the uprights receiving said flexible body.

In testimony whereof l aiiir: my signature.

ALBERT RUSSO. 

